The BVI Ports Authority and Tortola Pier Park Limited (TPPL) have approved the appointment of Ms. Dona Lisel Regis to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of TPPL effective January 5, 2015.

As CEO, Ms. Regis will be responsible for the initial management set up of Tortola Pier Park, including laying the foundation for fundamental operations of the park. She will also train a cadre of professionals for the effective day to day management of the park. In coming weeks, all members of the Tortola Pier Park management team will be announced.

The CEO’s main duties also include regular interfacing with all tenants of commercial and retail spaces.

In an invited comment, Chairman of the TPPL Board Mr. Anghel R. George said, “Ms. Regis’ appointment is key to the progress of Tortola Pier Park, having unique professional experience in the Caribbean cruise tourism retail sector.”

Mr. George added, “The Board is confident that Ms. Regis will prove an asset to TPPL, the BVI Ports Authority and the Territory as a whole, as she brings with her a wealth of experience and professional accolades.”

On her second day reporting to duty, Ms. Regis told the BVIPA Press Room, “I’m here to be of service to the people of the British Virgin Islands, to share what I know and to learn as well.”

Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority Mr. Claude O. Skelton Cline introduced Ms. Regis at a recent leadership meeting and told the Authority’s top managers that he is very happy to have Ms. Regis on board and trusts that she will exercise her role as CEO to the best of her ability as all eyes are on the “game changing” cruise pier and landside development.

Ms. Regis has a diverse professional background, having worked in a leadership capacity in marketing, cruise tourism, shopping centre management and accounting. She also has over 14 years of experience in the port industry.

Prior to taking up her new post at TPPL, the new CEO served as Director of Marketing and Product Development at the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority for over seven years and provided consultancy services for several other Caribbean cruise ports.

Ms. Regis has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Durham, a Certified Professional Marketer with the American Marketing Association and a Certified Customer Service Trainer with the Service Quality Institute. In addition, Ms. Regis has received advanced training in shopping center management from the International Council of Shopping Centers and retail business management from the National Retail Federation.

Tortola Pier Park Limited will manage the daily operations of the new landside development, Tortola Pier Park, a commercial and entertainment centre that is unique, modern, environmentally compatible and sustainable, and which will deliver a memorable and world-class experience for BVI cruise tourism.